What does 2 Corinthians 4:14 mean?

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Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:14

Explanation

2 Corinthians 4:14 expresses the apostle Paul’s steadfast belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for believers. The verse ties the resurrection of Jesus directly to the hope that Christians will also be resurrected. Here, Paul reassures the believers in Corinth that the same power which God used to raise Jesus from the dead will also be used to resurrect them. This is a message of solidarity and hope, as Paul includes himself (“us”) and the Corinthian believers (“you”) in this promise. This declaration serves to bolster the faith of the Corinthian Christians by reminding them that they share in the victory over death that Jesus has achieved.

Historical Context

This letter is part of Paul’s correspondence with the church in Corinth, a diverse and cosmopolitan city in ancient Greece. The Christians in Corinth faced various challenges, including internal divisions, moral dilemmas, and doubts about core aspects of the faith, such as the resurrection. Paul wrote this second epistle to reaffirm his teachings, defend his apostolic authority, address the issues facing the Corinthian believers, and provide them with spiritual guidance.

Theological Insights

Different Christian traditions may offer various perspectives on this verse:

Orthodox/Catholic Viewpoint: Both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church emphasize the bodily resurrection and the communion of saints, believing in a literal and physical resurrection at the end of times.
Protestant Perspective: Many Protestants also believe in a physical resurrection, but some may place a greater emphasis on the spiritual aspect of resurrection as an assurance of salvation and an invitation to live a life of faith and righteousness.
Liberal Theology: Some liberal theologians might interpret this passage more metaphorically or spiritually, focusing on the transformative power of Christ in the believer’s life rather than a physical resurrection.

Practical Applications

The verse encourages believers to maintain a sense of hope in the face of adversity. Tying one’s personal fate to the resurrection of Jesus offers comfort and assurance that death is not the end. Practically, this belief can motivate Christians to live out their faith with conviction, knowing that their physical death will not negate their spiritual continuity.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 6:14: “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.”
Romans 8:11: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text include:

Raised up (ἐγείρας, egeiras): This term is often used in reference to the resurrection, implying both a literal raising from the dead and a spiritual awakening.
Lord Jesus (Κύριον Ἰησοῦν, Kurion Iēsoun): A title affirming both the divinity and humanity of Christ.
Shall present (παραστήσει, parastēsei): Implies bringing someone into the presence of another, suggesting an introduction or a formal presentation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions, such as the Egyptian belief in the resurrection of Osiris, there are myths about gods dying and being brought back to life. However, the Christian concept differs significantly in its personal application and promise of resurrection to followers of Jesus.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse’s topic of resurrection does not align with scientific understandings of life and death, which do not support the possibility of life returning after clinical death. Yet, this verse reflects the human hope in life beyond death and the desire for continuity which transcends scientific explanation.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry Commentary: Matthew Henry sees this verse as an assurance that the resurrection of believers is certain, just as Christ’s resurrection is a historical fact.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: This source reiterates the communal aspect in the resurrection promise, pointing out that both Paul and the Corinthians will be raised together.
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: Gill provides a detailed commentary on the power of God in the context of resurrection and the shared hope of the believers in Christ’s resurrection and their own.